“My mom and dad and brothers are here with me, but San Diego will always be home for me,” Jessica, this season’s second-place “Idol” winner, said Friday from Los Angeles.

Her move may have been inevitable.

Since concluding the 2012 “Idol” concert tour in Manila in September, Jessica, 17, has been hard at work on her debut album at various Los Angeles recording studios. It’s due out in March or April, after the January release of her first single, which she describes as a love song with an up-tempo dance beat. Jessica is also taking acting lessons, in preparation for her multi-episode role on the hit TV series “Glee.”

But first comes her homecoming mini-concert, which takes place tonight in the Palm Plaza at the newly refurbished Westfield UTC shopping mall. Jessica will perform four songs at the conclusion of a two-hour show that is being billed as “Holiday Escape — Carols by Candlelight.” Admission is free.

The diminutive singer with the big, big voice won’t be previewing any songs from her upcoming album. But she promises to do at least one seasonal favorite, which may provide her fans with a rare opportunity to sing along with Jessica.

“You gotta bring the holiday spirit, so I’ll do at least one (holiday) song,” she said.

Jessica expressed interested in trying out the mall’s ice rink (“I’ve never skated) today. But this self-described fashionista won’t be buying any new clothes during her UTC visit.

“I shouldn’t be shopping — my closet is crazy!” she said with a laugh. “But I’m really excited to be somewhat in my hometown again and see all the familiar places.”

Jessica said she has not yet been told specifically what role she’ll be playing on “Glee” when she makes her debut on the TV series early next year. Regardless, she is eager to make her dramatic debut.

“I’ve never, ever acted in my life before, but it’s definitely different, and that’s why I love it,” she said.

“It’s different from singing, but it’s also similar. In singing, you have to put an emotion into the song with your words, so that when somebody hears it they can feel what you’re singing. Acting is pretty much the same thing. It’s not just facial movements, but the way you say it.”